Jeffrey M. Halpern, Ph.D.
he/him

Professor in Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering

Head of SEEDS Laboratory

Contact: jeffrey.halpern@unh.edu

Twitter: @JeffreyMHalpern

Prof. Halpern obtained his PhD in Chemical Engineering in 2010 at Case Western Reserve. His first post doctorate (2011-2012) was funded through a T32 musculoskeletal NRSA training fellowship at Case Western Reserve University. Prof. Halpern obtained a Fulbright Scholarship and Lady Davis Fellowship (2013-2014) to work at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology. The knowledge gained in all of these experiences is fundamental in the SEEDS Laboratory approach to sensing technology. 

Prof. Jeffrey Halpern is also very proud of his strong undergraduate mentoring plan. Prof. Halpern has mentored over 25 undergraduate students or summer interns, many of which are part of a minority group. A majority of these students have pursued or plan on pursuing post-graduate education. In 2019, Prof. Halpern received an Educator's Award from LEAP for Education as part of his mentoring efforts. 

Sarah Bramlitt-Harris, Chemistry PhD Candidate, 2026

Contact: sarah.bramlitt@unh.edu 

Sarah is a third year Chemistry Ph.D. student and General Chemistry (403 & 404) Teaching Assistant at UNH. She received her B.S. in Forensic Science and B.S. in Chemistry from the University of New Haven in 2019. Her undergraduate experience focused heavily on Forensic Science, which led to an internship at the New Hampshire Chief Medical Examiner’s Office. Her experiences during this internship inspired her to pursue graduate research in drugs of abuse. Currently, her research focuses on the development of a molecularly imprinted polymer-based sensor for the detection of codeine. 

Co-Advised with W. Rudolph Seitz

Ferdows Sajedi, Chemical Engineering PhD Student, 2027

Contact: Ferdows.sajedi@unh.edu

Ferdows is a first year PhD student at UNH. She received her Master's in Chemical Engineering from Sahand University of Technology in 2020. Her master’s project was about Synthesis of silica aerogel and its performance evaluation for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment. She enjoys hiking, shopping, traveling, and spending time with friends.

Henry Roell, Chemistry PhD Candidate, 2027

Contact: Henry.Roell@unh.edu

Henry is a 5th-year chemistry PhD student at UNH. He received his B.S. degree from Michigan Technological University in Houghton Michigan. At MTU, Henry performed research in Dr. Tarun Dam’s molecular biology lab, focusing on the purification of plant-based biomolecules and their interactions with red blood cells. Here at UNH, Henry’s research focuses on long polymer chains of elastin-like polymer’s (ELP) and their pH responsive behavior. He characterizes the behavior of these polymers by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) in corroboration with atomic force microscopy (AFM) imaging. In addition to his research on ELPs, Henry’s work involves assembling a tools and strategies for analyzing non-redox mediated EIS data.

Zahraa (Zee) Albeshir, Chemistry PhD Cadidate, 2027

Contact: zba1000@usnh.edu

Zee is a first year Chemistry PhD student at UNH. She received her received her B.S. in Biochemistry from the University of New England in 2022. Her undergraduate research focused on using computational sources to study the behavior of surface immobilized elastin-like polymers. Her research currently focuses on improving the longterm stability of analyte-responsive polymers bound to gold surface. Outside of the lab, she enjoys backpacking, skiing, and being around trees

Laurel Nelscott, Bioengineering PhD Student, 2029 

Contact: lhn1003@usnh.edu  

LinkedIn 

Laurel Nelscott is a second year bioengineering PhD student at UNH. They received their B.S. in bioengineering from UNH in December of 2023. Laurel’s current research focuses on studying the thermally responsive behaviors of surface-bound analyte responsive polymers. In their copious free time, Laurel enjoys sewing, lifting weights, and being around plants.

Rachel Bachrach, Biochemistry, 2029 

Lab Manager

Contact: Rachel.Bachrach@unh.edu

LinkedIN

Rachel Bachrach is sophomore at the University of New Hampshire and is pursuing a B.S. in biochemistry with a minor in public health. Rachel’s current research involves testing analytes, such as alanine, with beta-cyclodextrin modified electrodes to investigate possible binding. A long-term goal of this project is the development of a reusable, non-invasive biosensor. In addition to participating in undergraduate research, Rachel is the lab manager of the SEEDS lab. In this role, she works closely with the other members of the lab to ensure that operations are running smoothly. When she is not working, Rachel enjoys spending time with her friends and family, going to the gym, and reading. 

Mia Levesque, Bioengineering, 2029 

Contact: Mia.levesque@unh.edu 

LinkedIN

Mia Levesque is a second-year bioengineering student and is also a member of the Honors College. She is actively involved in the Society for Women Engineers, the UNH Women’s lacrosse, and the French National lacrosse team. Mia’s current research focuses on using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) to study polymer-coated surfaces. She is investigating how different salt (NaCl) concentrations and pH levels affect electrochemical responses. After completing her Bachelor's, she plans to complete her master's in Bioengineering.